IOA’s ad-hoc panel on Tuesday handed direct Asian Video games entries to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, who have been on the forefront of protest towards Singh.
The junior wrestlers, particularly the most-affected Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal, have additionally slammed the panel and dragged it to the courtroom, demanding a good trial in all classes.
Singh, who can also be a BJP MP, stated that they had ended the follow of giving exemptions to wrestlers as a result of they realised that it was hurting the juniors.
“I’m fairly anguished because the ad-hoc panel took this resolution. It can damage the game of wrestling on this nation. Lots of people have labored exhausting to elevate this sport. The athletes, their dad and mom, the followers of the game, all have labored exhausting,” Singh advised PTI in an unique interplay.
“Right this moment, wrestling is one sport the place an Olympic medal is taken into account assured. And the choice that these wrestlers will go to a contest just like the Asian Video games, is an unlucky one.”
Singh, who’s out on an interim bail and never eligible to contest the upcoming WFI elections as a result of Sports activities Code tips, feels the protest launched by six wrestlers was motivated.
“When all this (protest) started (in January) I used to suppose why is all of it taking place? I had recited a poem again then (on social media),” he stated and recited the poem once more emphasising that he selected to aspect with the juniors and thus invited bother for himself.
The 19-year-old Panghal together with a number of different wrestlers, their households and elders hit the streets in Hisar to protest towards the ad-hoc panel’s resolution.
“I’m remembering this poem once more immediately as a result of issues have gotten crystal clear.”
04:04
Vinesh Phogat will get exemption from wrestling trials; different wrestlers object
When countered that even underneath his tenure as President, the WFI had exempted Vinesh, Bajrang and others from trials for the 2018 Asian Video games and that even throughout the 2022 CWG trials, the identical wrestlers got direct semifinal entries, he admitted it was a mistake.
“We didn’t ship these wrestlers (to Commonwealth Video games) instantly, although we gave them direct semifinal berths. We realised later that maybe it’s not proper and that is precisely why we mentioned this subject at our Govt Committee, took recommendation from the coaches, studied the principles from different nations and handed the brand new guidelines in Normal Physique Assembly that such exemptions shall be not be given to any wrestler in any state of affairs.”
“I personally didn’t make this rule, unilaterally. It was broadly mentioned after which a choice was taken.”
The WFI had handed the decision on August 25 at its Normal Physique Assembly in Rohtak, final yr.
Singh selected to not converse when requested what he thinks of the presence of Gian Singh and Ashok Garg as technical consultants within the IOA ad-hoc panel.
“Now I’d request you to let this go. How properly these coaches are well-versed with modern-day wrestling is one other matter. I do not discuss to the media now however some points have been rankling me, so I spoke immediately (on exemption given to wrestlers),” he stated.
